In this bizarre thriller for the Christian market, a jilted old woman with a hatred for men has a deadly secret that could wreak havoc upon the population of the Oregon coast. Framing his novel around chess strategy, Wilson introduces Josee Walker, once given up for adoption rather unbelievably by her wealthy parents, Kara and Marsh Addison. Now a cynical artist and poet in her 20s, she's come upon a canister that will make her a pawn in a horrendous scheme. The canister holds a poison for the body and the soul. "Hidden things are at work here," cautions Marsh's mother. "Elements that remain dark to our mortal eyes." Things get creepy, with blood and vaporous green mists like serpents showing up in unlikely places. To help defeat the forces of evil, Josee must rely on the fragments of a faith she's mostly left behind. Quirky twists delightfully catch the reader off-guard throughout the story, and Wilson nimbly sprinkles clues throughout. Strong verbs carry the text, but the slangy dialogue turns stale down the stretch. Occasionally, the writing veers off into the genuinely strange, and at more than 400 pages, some cutting would have helped the pacing. The ending disintegrates into prolonged mayhem, with some light gore and a predictable showdown with the bad guys. Still, Wilson's fresh voice holds promise, and CBA thriller aficionados should welcome this debut.
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"With bravado and compelling prose, Eric Wilson delivers a début that will surely expand the minds and speed the hearts of readers.
Dark to Mortal Eyes is a compelling tale that is surprisingly told. Wilson is set to leave his mark on the world of fiction."
--Ted Dekker , best-selling author of
Thr3e and
Black "From the first page, Eric Wilson takes us on a relentless and intriguing ride in his debut novel,
Dark to Mortal Eyes. With unique characters and a thought-provoking plot, he transports us beyond the physical realm, illuminating the spiritual forces at work in our world. Put it on your must-read list–Eric Wilson's novel is an eye-opening read."
--Randy Singer, Christy Award winning author of
Directed Verdict and
Dying Declaration
“From the opening scene, Wilson's characters in
Dark to Mortal Eyes hook us by the nose and pull us headlong into a suspense-filled, action-packed mystery that consistently rides the razor's edge between life and death, and blurs the lines between the natural and the spiritual realms. This book is a delight for the imagination, and a challenge for the soul.”
--Michael D. Warden, author of
Gideon's Dawn and
Waymaker“In
Dark to Mortal Eyes, Eric Wilson coils suspense as tight as a snake prepared to strike.”
–Robert Whitlow, best-selling author of
Life Support“Eric Wilson peels back this story with razor sharp suspense, revealing a robust multi-layered plot, rich descriptive color, and intelligently drawn characters. God willing, writers like Eric Wilson will be the future of Christian fiction.”
–James BeauSeigneur, author of
The Christ Clone Trilogy
“Dark to Mortal Eyes is one of those excitingly fresh, thrilling tales that linger in the mind. The titanic clash between good and evil is memorable, and the characters unforgettable. The rush-to-the-next-page adventure will make you hunger to read it all again. Eric Wilson is a terrific writer.”
–Gayle Lynds,
New York Times bestselling author of
The Coil, Masquerade, and others
“Eric Wilson’s
Dark to Mortal Eyes is a wonderful discovery. Frightening in places, provocative in others, this deeply spiritual, powerful story moves with the intricacy of a chess game played at the master’s level combined with the speed of a runaway locomotive. Eric Wilson is a great new voice.”
–Steven Womack,
New York Times Notable Author of
Dirty Money“Dark to Mortal Eyes is intelligent and ambitious. Eric Wilson takes the reader through a fast-paced thriller that’s as thought-provoking as it is riveting.”
–Alafair Burke, author of
Missing Justice“Packed with intrigue and suspense,
Dark to Mortal Eyes weaves a tale that awakens the mind toward eternal things. Don’t expect much sleep!”
–Cindy Martinusen, author of
The Salt Garden
